Bless ‘em!

Tourist season is now in full-swing here.

You can tell this in a number of fun ways.

First off, by the ‘mini traffic jams’ being caused by the two “trenini” (“little trains”) that make their ever-so-slow way about our city crammed full of sweltering tourists forced to listen to inane commentary, mixed with ‘inspirational’ (and loud!) musical interludes.
Y’see, we have two of ‘em: One goes slowly up to Modica Alta; while the other wends its (slow) way to the Belvedere di San Benedetto (view point of Saint Benedict) in the western hills.
Then there’s the tourists themselves.
With their often pale ‘n pasty complexions; baseball caps; backpacks; and perplexed faces as they try to navigate our narrow streets. They come in three ‘varieties’.
Younger couples striding confidently about in their shorts and tees, all the while pretending they know where they’re going.
Family groups of enthusiastic parents (often dad) pointing out the splendours of the many baroque buildings, while their bored kids remain stubbornly glued to their phones.
And don’t get me started on the tour groups! Often composed of older tourists, they shuffle about with their tee shirts tucked into their too-large shorts, collectively being ‘cat-herded’ by exasperated tour guides carrying umbrellas or wee poles with flags atop. They are, and by far, our least favourites ‘cause they block the footpaths and generally cause chaos wherever they go.
However, regardless of our feelings, our city has to have ‘em … and the much-needed euros they bring…

It’s Official!

That ‘cornerstone’ of American fast-food culture has arrived.

A McDonald’s is opening right here in Modica this Friday (3rd July). Not down here in the “Centro Storico” (“Historic Centre”) of Modica Bassa, or up in more-ancient Modica Alta either.
Thankfully! Nope. It’s in the ‘new’ part of the city: Modica Sorda. With it’s high-rise apartments, sterile city centre, and good shopping, it’s the only place one could possibly open here.
For which I give thanks. I may even light a candle!
Mind you, this isn’t the first time this has happened, as one failed to ‘take’ here previously, closing its doors way back in Sorda in 2013. What’s changed since then? I have no idea, sorry!
Now, our province isn’t immune to the ‘allure’ of a Big Mac or Chicken McNuggets: We have two of ‘em in nearby Ragusa. One in the city; one out in the Marina di Ragusa. A 25-minute drive to the drive-through, so it’s not like we don’t have access.
The difference now being when we spot an empty hamburger box emblazoned with the iconic golden arches, we’ll know it’s local, and not someone ‘importing’ their product from Ragusa! Trust me: We’ve seen this.
Now, some Modicans claim the previous iteration of the business failed because it was run out of town by locals choosing to munch the traditional “Scaccia” instead?
While the stuffed-and-layered flatbread is delicious, but a serious rival? I don’t see it. More likely just a badly-run business.
Whatever: It’s here!

Hell in a Handbasket

This is f’sure the way our world’s looking at the minute!

It’s hotter in Paris than Palermo; and warmer in Madrid than Modica. The ‘heat dome’ over Northern Europe was-and-is shattering records. Something, I’ll argue with anyone, that’s more human-driven than the mere ‘vagaries’ of weather.
It’s not often I get to write that maybe those in the north should journey south to Sicily ... to escape the heat! I mean: It’s currently very warm here, with our night ‘n day temperatures hovering somewhere between 20 and 33 degrees celcius. Which is entirely as expected for this time of year.
Thankfully!
Then there’s that damned (and ongoing) ‘war’ with Iran that President Trump thought was a real good idea. Until it wasn’t!
Anyone who’s studied history could’ve told him this current situation would be the most likely outcome, of course. But then, neither he or his cronies have ever done such a thing, and the Israelis weren’t going to tell him, now were they?
Thanks to which, our fuel, produce and manufactured goods prices are only going one way: Up!
So, thanks for nothing.
Then we’ve seen cheap drones directly cause a massive fuel crisis in what is supposedly the second-most-powerful country on the planet. And when a $400 drone can destroy a $4 million main battle tank, you have to ask yourself: What’s the use?
Best to ‘hunker down’ here in a small rural city at the far end of Europe, I have to reckon…

More Soon...